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A review by inkysplodge
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
when Stevie and Janelle were talking about Vi and Stevie said "she", Janelle corrected her with "they" but the rest of the narration uses she/her for Vi... good job, author /s
anyway the main reason it got a 3(.25)⭐ is because i use CAWPILE and atmosphere and logic got high ratings. the characters were very flat and "trope-y" and i could not tell you a single thing about their personalities except maybe Nate and Ellie. there didn't seem to be an actual plot until about 75% in and i get it's a trilogy but not a single thing was solved which implies to me that book 2 won't give anything to leave it all to be solved in book 3 and i frankly don't care about the characters enough (or at all really) to want to continue
less of a "contemporary mystery" and more "a contemporary with a bit of mystery" which is fine if that's what you want/expect, i just want my mysteries to be happening from the first few chapters or to at least care about the characters. the majority of this book i just had completely neutral feelings for (and when i did feel something, it wasn't enjoyment😅)
anyway the main reason it got a 3(.25)⭐ is because i use CAWPILE and atmosphere and logic got high ratings. the characters were very flat and "trope-y" and i could not tell you a single thing about their personalities except maybe Nate and Ellie. there didn't seem to be an actual plot until about 75% in and i get it's a trilogy but not a single thing was solved which implies to me that book 2 won't give anything to leave it all to be solved in book 3 and i frankly don't care about the characters enough (or at all really) to want to continue
less of a "contemporary mystery" and more "a contemporary with a bit of mystery" which is fine if that's what you want/expect, i just want my mysteries to be happening from the first few chapters or to at least care about the characters. the majority of this book i just had completely neutral feelings for (and when i did feel something, it wasn't enjoyment😅)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Murder, Drug use, and Transphobia